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Times
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Times
Labour MPs resist ‘backsliding' Supreme Court trans judgment
Labour MPs have deemed the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of a woman as 'completely unnecessary' and a 'backslide' on rights, months after the judgment. Analysis by The Times of responses to constituents from Labour MPs found politicians claimed the ruling was being weaponised by the far right and that 'bigots [would] feel empowered by a false belief that the law is now on their side'. The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the definition of a woman, in terms of the Equality Act, must be based on biology. It meant that for a service, such as a domestic abuse refuge, to claim to be single-sex, it would have to exclude transgender women. Although many letters sent by MPs, and seen by The Times, featured generic stock responses, an analysis of more than 50 pieces of correspondence revealed how some MPs continued to push back against the ruling and cast doubt over forthcoming guidance being produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the equality regulator. Andrew Western, a work and pensions minister and the MP for Stretford & Urmston, told one constituent that he believed the case was 'completely unnecessary' and he appreciated 'the fear and distress that has resulted' from it. Josh Newbury, the MP for Cannock Chase, said in a letter it was 'clear in my view that trans women are women and that trans men are men'. He said the Supreme Court ruling did not contradict that but that 'the misinterpretation of, and fallout from, the ruling has wrongly brought this into question'. He said: 'I do not believe it is morally right for trans people to be excluded from single-sex spaces designated for their gender.' In another letter Noah Law, the MP for St Austell and Newquay, said the ruling could 'be used as an excuse to discriminate against transgender people'. He said he feared the ruling would 'serve as a backslide' and added: 'It is, ultimately, not down to any court to decide how people feel living in their own skin, and it seems like obvious common courtesy to let people live in a way that makes them feel happy and safe.' • The trans rights age gap: 'It's infuriating when Mum argues about loos' Emily Darlington, the MP for Milton Keynes Central, suggested the 'far right' was exploiting the issue to sow division. She said: 'The UK is increasingly at odds with European peer countries on trans rights, and anti-trans rhetoric is gaining influence in public and policy spheres.' Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, said the Equality Act had previously 'rightly been interpreted as inclusive of trans people, including trans women, except in specific and proportionate circumstances'. She said there were some settings where it was right to have space reserved for biological women. Calvin Bailey, the MP for Leyton and Wanstead,wrote: 'In addition to trans people, those who are non-binary or who don't match the gender expectations of others could equally face greater risks of abuse or humiliation. These impacts will be all the worse if the public debate becomes even more toxic and bigots feel empowered by a false belief that the law is now on their side.' Others attempted to take a more balanced approach. In one letter Antonia Bance, the Labour MP for Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley, told a constituent that she backed the Supreme Court and that in some cases single-sex spaces based on biological sex were 'necessary'. However, she said the guidance being drawn up by the EHRC was unlikely to settle matters. She said: 'I doubt anyone will be entirely satisfied with the outcome — which more than likely will be a messy British compromise.' Bance, who describes herself in her letter as 'a lesbian woman out and proud for the last 26 years', told her constituent that 'civil rights for trans people are non-negotiable'. She said transgender people must be treated with dignity and respect, and added: 'We still have some way to go to make sure no trans person is victimised or discriminated against.' However Bance also said that previous jobs in women's prisons and the domestic abuse sector had shaped her view. She said: 'We need clear rules to ensure that women are safe, and that they can expect privacy and dignity when they are vulnerable — for example because they have directly experienced male violence, or because they are sleeping, receiving intimate care, changing their clothes or showering.' She said these cases were few but 'therefore I support the court's judgment that woman means biological female — it is a clear and commonsense position'. She rejected suggestions that ministers were following an 'overtly transphobic agenda or attacking trans or women's rights'. Alistair Strathern, the MP for Hitchin, told one constituent: 'While I respect the independence of the judiciary, the UK Supreme Court and its decision, I share the concerns of many, including colleagues, of some of the risks and uncertainties opened up by the ruling. These risks have seemed exacerbated by the interim guidance from the EHRC that opens more questions than it answers.' All MPs were contacted for comment. Labour Women's Declaration, a group which backs sex-based rights, said the responses were 'both disappointing and deeply concerning' and risked leaving the public confused over the party's position. A spokeswoman said: 'Of particular concern are the number of MPs and peers who are openly saying that the rights of trans people are under threat. This not only calls into question the legitimacy of the Supreme Court judgment which explicitly states the ruling 'does not remove protection from trans people', it actively fuels fear within the very community they claim to support.' She said: 'We now call upon the government to maintain their resolve and remind outlier Labour MPs, who seek to push their own agenda, of their duty to uphold the law.' Maya Forstater, chief executive of the charity Sex Matters, said that leadership was needed so that MPs understood the law. She said: 'Every government has backbench rebels. But when they make dismissive and factually incorrect statements that run directly counter to the government's stated position, it's a failure of leadership to let them stand.'
Metro
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Woman nearly hit by car after her flip-flop got 'stuck in molten tarmac'
The heat in Britain this weekend has broken records – and appeared to even turn roads into molten tarmac. The heat was so intense that a woman in Cannock, Staffordshire, was almost hit by a car while crossing the sticky streets when her flip-flop got stuck in the melted tarmac, local MP Josh Newbury said. Shocking pictures have shown tyres coated in the sticky substance from a residential road in Cannock. The town sizzled as temperatures soared to more than 30C over the weekend, with residents on Gorsemoor Road saying the molten road surfaces have caused expensive damage to their cars. The problem was so bad, the council's highways department closed the road completely on Friday and Saturday to carry out repairs. Postman Roger Wain, 49, said a neighbour's Range Rover had been coated in tarmac as the weather reached highs of 31C. The dad-of-one said: 'It's obviously changed the road surface and the look, and that's partly down to the weather. 'It's ripped parts of the road up. They resurfaced it four or five weeks ago, whether it wasn't done properly or whether it was a combination of the heat and a shoddy job. 'I've been lucky and kept out of the way, but a few people have had it stick to their tyres. One of the neighbours said a resident a few doors down came back with a Range Rover and it all stuck to the tyres, and well, they pulled up all the tarmac had gone all over their drive and ruined the wheels and driveway.' Neighbour Marc Edwards, 44, added: 'When you drive on the road, you're literally ripping up great big chunks of tarmac and when you put the car onto the drive, it's bringing all the tar onto the drives and it's just spreading all over them. 'It's wrecking loads of people's drives all up and down the street, and it's hardening on the tyres overnight. We thought potholes were bad, but this is ridiculous.' One driver has been quoted £300 to repair her tyres, which are coated in tarmac and stones. Shaun Dennis only uses his car early in the morning or late at night when the roads will be their coolest. He said: 'Motorways don't melt, roads in Spain don't melt, certain roads that you drive on in this temperature aren't melting. So there's obviously something fundamentally wrong about the work that's been done here.' Peter Mason, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways, said: 'We are aware of the current condition of Gorsemoor Road in Cannock and have been working closely with our contractors to address the issue as a priority. 'Over the weekend, temperatures in Staffordshire are reaching over 30°C, significantly increasing the risk of surface melting on newly laid roads.' Gritters normally used to melt icy roads in the winter have been deployed around the county to cool the road surfaces. More Trending The vehicles spread granite dust onto the tarmac, which helps absorb the softened substance and improves grip for motorists. But the UK is set to finally cool down, after parts of England, Scotland and Wales all reached 30C today during Britain's third heatwave of 2025. Several records were broken yesterday in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, which all recorded their warmest days of the year so far. Though today was still a bit of a swelterer, temperatures were slightly lower and will continue to dip throughout the week. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man who killed Iraq war veteran with 'cowardly punch' guilty of murder MORE: Will a 'mega-quake' strike next week after a Japanese manga predicts 'great disaster'? MORE: Gran has had full skip on her driveway for three months – and can't do a thing about it
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Highly contagious disease could return to UK as it's just a 'matter of time'
The highly contagious disease was eradicated in Britain in 2007 - but it's poised to make a return if the UK Government doesn't act fast, health officials have warned Health officials are sounding the alarm over the possible return of a highly contagious virus to the UK, warning that unless swift action is taken, the country could face a major outbreak. Foot-and-mouth disease, which causes painful blisters in the mouths and hooves of livestock, was eradicated in Britain in 2007. While harmless to humans, it can contaminate animal products like meat and milk. Rare cases have been linked to people drinking raw milk from infected cows, though such instances are extremely uncommon. Now fresh outbreaks across Europe are raising serious concerns. The disease was first detected on a Hungarian cattle farm in early March and spread within two weeks to three farms in neighbouring Slovakia - the first reported cases in both countries in over 50 years. Germany has also reported infections, sparking border closures and mass culls. There are fears the virus could now slip through without suitable checks at UK borders. Jamie Pout, Dover District Council's environmental lead, warned that authorities at the Port of Dover are 'barely scratching the surface' when it comes to adequate checks. 'It's a matter of time' before foot-and-mouth or African swine fever crosses into Britain, he said. The economic toll of an outbreak could be devastating. Affected farmers face huge losses - from culling herds to reduced milk yields. The wider agricultural industry could also take a hit, with the potential loss of access to foreign markets for British meat, dairy, and livestock. In response, the UK has banned all commercial imports of livestock - including pigs, sheep, cattle and deer - from affected countries. Meat and dairy products are also restricted, and health certificates for animal-origin goods from those regions are no longer being issued. In April, the Government also enforced a ban on "bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain". It means Brits must avoid bringing dairy products from certain animals back to the country when returning from the EU, EFTA States, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. Labour MP Josh Newbury - a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) - highlighted poor conditions at UK ports last week, saying he witnessed health inspections happening under "rusty canopies, with nesting pigeons [in buildings] that had no walls". He added that these facilities had "no ability to wash down" and lacked PPE equipment, other than gloves. Last week, the Government lifted restrictions on livestock from Germany after the country was declared disease free. Following allegations from the border, the government said it will do "whatever it takes" to protect British farmers from disease, incuding increased seizures of illegal meat products and a £200million boost towards research and lab testing facilities to help protect against animal disease.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Foot-and-mouth outbreak 'when, not if' - Port of Dover boss
A councillor responsible for health at the Port of Dover has warned the return of foot-and-mouth disease to the UK is inevitable, unless government funding Pout, of Dover District Council, said the health authority was "barely scratching the surface" when it came to suitable checks at the Kent added it was "a matter of time" until foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever arrived in the port has been approached for comment, while the government said it would do "whatever it takes" to protect British farmers from disease. The government added that it had significantly increased seizures of illegal meat products, restricted animal products from EU countries with outbreaks, and banned personal meat and dairy imports for EU said it was also investing more than £200m in a new National Biosecurity Centre. It comes after recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany, Hungary and disease is a highly infectious virus that causes blisters inside an animal's mouth and under their hooves, which can cause lameness and problems poses no risk to humans and there are currently no cases in the products of animal origin, like meat and dairy, could potentially be MP Josh Newbury, who sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA), said last week that he saw health inspections at the port being done under "rusty canopies, with nesting pigeons [in buildings] that had no walls".Facilities had "no ability to wash down" and lacked personal protection equipment other than gloves, he added. Roy Glover, a third-generation livestock farmer and butcher from Hartley Bottom Farm, near Dartford, called the UK's last foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001 "devastating" for local said it put "stress" on his family farm and business."It was terrible. I remember being unable to sleep worrying that our farm could be next," he said."You'd see other farms go down, and you'd spend your time thinking that it could be you next."Mr Glover urged the government to take foot-and-mouth disease seriously."More needs to be done. If foot-and-mouth disease comes through again, it could financially ruin our farm and butchers."
